The SWFSC Marine Turtle Genetics Program serves as the National Sea Turtle Genetics Laboratory and has the lead responsibility for generating, analyzing and interpreting marine turtle genetic data to address the scientific and management needs for NOAA-NMFS under the Endangered Species Act Sea Turtle Recovery Plans and the Magnuson-Stevens Re-authorization Act. These include determining population structure and defining Units to Conserve; conducting stock identification of sea turtle fisheries bycatch and strandings; and enhancing population assessments by improving knowledge of sea turtle life history, ecology and behavior, population vital rates, and demography. The overall goal of these research efforts is to improve the science of conservation of sea turtles.
Genetic Tools
- mtDNA Sequencing
- Genotyping
- Genomics
- eDNA/Trace DNA
Laboratories and Resources
- Genetics Labs
- Ancient DNA Lab
- eDNA Lab
- Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Research Collection
Marine Mammal Genetics Publications
Meet Our Team
